How to unlock all agents in VALORANT (2026)

VALORANT has 29 agents in the current roster, but a new account only starts with 5. The rest are locked by default. The good news is that all agents can be obtained for free. There are two main methods: Kingdom Credits (KC), which you earn by playing without spending money, and Valorant Points (VP), the paid currency for instant unlocks.

Starting agents: the 5 you have from the beginning

Every new VALORANT account gets 5 agents unlocked right after finishing the tutorial. These 5 cover the 4 roles in the game, so you can jump into any team comp from day one.

 Once you finish the tutorial and play your first matches, you can start earning Kingdom Credits to unlock the next agent. Check out the guide on which agent to unlock first if you're not sure which one to prioritize.

All the methods to unlock agents

There are four ways to unlock agents in VALORANT. The table summarizes each one with its cost and estimated time.

Method 1: Kingdom Credits — unlock agents for free

What are Kingdom Credits?

Kingdom Credits (KC) are VALORANT's free currency introduced in Episode 7 (June 2023). You earn them by playing matches and can't buy them with real money. The cost for an agent is 8,000 KC. There's a maximum accumulation cap of 10,000 KC, so it doesn't make sense to hoard them indefinitely without spending: once you hit the cap, you stop earning more. Many players miss out on potential KC by not knowing about this limit.

How to earn Kingdom Credits?

The most efficient way to build up KC is by completing daily Checkpoints and playing competitive or unrated matches. The following table shows the main sources:

A concrete example: if you complete the 4 daily Checkpoints (600 KC) and play 2 competitive matches of 15 rounds winning half (roughly 82 KC per match), you can rack up about 764 KC in a session. In about 11 to 13 active sessions, you'll have the 8,000 KC to unlock an agent.

How to redeem Kingdom Credits for an agent

1. Open VALORANT and go to the "Agents" tab.
2. Select the agent you want to unlock.
3. Click "Unlock" (shows the cost: 8,000 KC).
4. Confirm the purchase. The agent is available immediately.

Method 2: Agent Recruitment Event — new agents only

When Riot Games releases a new agent, an Agent Recruitment Event automatically activates for 28 days. No need to enable anything: the event starts on its own when the agent launches. By playing matches during those 28 days, you progress through the event until you unlock the agent for free.

There's an important point many players don't know: during the first 28 days after a new agent's launch, you can't unlock it with Kingdom Credits. In that window, your only options are the Recruitment Event, Valorant Points, or Xbox Game Pass. If the 28-day period ends without completing the event, the agent moves to the standard store where you can unlock it with 8,000 KC or 1,000 VP with no time limit or penalty.

Check the guide on latest VALORANT agents to see which ones have been released recently and if any have an active Recruitment Event.

Method 3: Valorant Points (VP) — the paid method

Valorant Points (VP) are VALORANT's premium currency. Unlocking an agent with VP costs 1,000 VP. The real-money price varies by region. The unlock is instant: pay, select the agent, confirm, and you're good to go.

The main advantage of VP is instant access, including to new agents from launch day when Kingdom Credits aren't an option yet. The price varies by region, so check the exact price in the VALORANT client.

Method 4: Agent Unlock Token — new players only

New VALORANT accounts receive one or more Agent Unlock Tokens. These tokens let you unlock any agent instantly and for free. Usage is very limited: once spent, you can't get more. This method isn't available for existing accounts.

If you have a token available, use it wisely. Check the guide on which agent to pick for your token before deciding.

Bonus: Xbox Game Pass — early access to new agents

Linking an active Xbox Game Pass subscription to your Riot account gives you early access to new agents during their 28-day window, before they hit the Kingdom Credits store. It's the third way to unlock a freshly launched agent without paying VP. Note that Xbox Game Pass doesn't unlock the full agent roster, just early access to new ones during launch. Check prices and availability at xbox.com.

FAQs on unlocking agents

How many Kingdom Credits do I need to unlock an agent?

You need 8,000 KC per agent. The max accumulation cap is 10,000 KC, so don't wait too long before redeeming.

Can you buy Kingdom Credits?

No. Kingdom Credits are only earned by playing matches. There's no direct purchase option with real money.

How long does it take to unlock an agent with KC?

With active play and daily Checkpoints, it takes 2 to 3 weeks. For casual players not playing every day, it can stretch to 4 to 5 weeks.

Can I unlock a new agent with KC from day one?

No. During the first 28 days from a new agent's launch, Kingdom Credits aren't an option. In that period, you can only use the Recruitment Event, Valorant Points (1,000 VP), or Xbox Game Pass.

Can you unlock all agents for free?

Yes. No agent is permanently locked behind a paywall. Every agent in the roster is available with Kingdom Credits, earned by playing for free.

What if I don't complete a new agent's Recruitment Event?

Nothing bad happens. Once the 28 days are up, the agent goes to the standard store and you can unlock it anytime with 8,000 KC or 1,000 VP. No penalties or extra time limits.